Hwang Jeong-min to play Don Quixote in musical

A scene from the musical "Man of La Mancha", which has cast Hwang Jeong-min as Don Quixote / Courtesy of OD Musical Company

Hwang Jeong-min will return to the stage in the role of Don Quixote in the musical "Man of La Mancha" from June, at the Charlotte Theater in southern Seoul.

Hwang, a seasoned actor in movies, soap operas and theater, will portray writer-tax collector Miguel de Cervantes and Don Quixote of La Mancha in Cervantes' play and sing the famed number, "The Impossible Dream".

His previous stage credit includes Guido Contini in "Nine" (2008) and Robbie Hart of "The Wedding Singer" (2009). Most recently, he starred in the movie "Dancing Queen" with Uhm Jung-hwa.

Veteran musical actor Seo Bum-seok and 30-year-old Hong Kwang-ho will alternate in the role with Hwang. Seo currently plays Yu-bong in homegrown musical "Seopyeonje" and Hong is known for his portrayal of the Phantom and Raoul in "The Phantom of the Opera" and Jekyll in "Jekyll and Hyde".

Aldonza, or Quixote's lady Dulcinea, will be played by actresses Lee Hye-kyung and Cho Jung-eun. Lee, Christine in "The Phantom of the Opera", starred as Aldonza in the 2005 and 2010 productions of "Man of La Mancha" and returns to the role this year. Cho is a diva from "Spitfire Grill" and "Zorro" and expected to break from her graceful image with this part.

With the script by Dale Wasserman, lyrics by Joe Darion and music by Mitch Leigh, "Man of La Mancha" is inspired by Cervantes's "Don Quixote". The play-within-a-play begins in a dungeon and transforms into a field with sunflowers as Cervantes stages his work with the prisoners in the dungeon.

"Man of La Mancha" is critically acclaimed in Korea and scooped five trophies at The Musical Awards in 2008, including Best Licensed Musical.

It will be staged from June 22 to Oct. 7. Tickets cost between 60,000 and 130,000 won.

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